This RCoP-accredited course provides theoretical instruction in injection therapy for musculoskeletal conditions of the foot.

The course will run over two days, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November (even though Eventbrite makes it look like ONE day!) followed by a period of supervised clinical practice. To successfully complete the course and receive accreditation for it, you need to pass an end-of-course MCQ examination and then complete a series of (a minimum of 10) mentored injections. This is not part of the course and must be arranged locally by yourself.

Entry Criteria for Podiatrists

This course is open to members of the Royal College of Podiatry (RCoP) who are current HCPC registered Podiatrists and who hold current certification in local anaesthesia (POM-A).

Programme Outline

· Introduction to the course

· Anatomy - spotter

· Evidence-based practice for injection therapy

· Legislation/medical ethics

· The pharmacology and physiology of steroids

· Injection techniques and regimen

· Surface anatomy

· Other injectables

· Outcomes/complications

· Logbook/mentoring

Exam: 30-minute paper

Aims

To introduce clinicians to the advanced skills of injection therapy

To instruct in the legal and ethical considerations of injection therapy

To teach the principles of pharmacology of the drugs used

To review functional and surface anatomy

To review the aetiology and pathology of common foot problems

To advise on the indications/contraindications of injection therapy

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of injection therapy

Critically evaluate injection therapy as an adjunct to other treatments

Competently select patients suitable for injection therapy

Communicate effectively with colleagues regarding treatment choice

Discuss good aseptic techniques in the application of the treatment

Recognise the warning signs of adverse drug reactions

Initiate appropriate management for adverse reactions

Define all aspects of post-injection aftercare and rehabilitation

Pre-Course Reading

A full course pack will be issued (via DropBox) covering the main areas of study. The key document is the CPD article by Dr Kilmartin, with additional papers for further reading. A sound understanding of anatomy is key to successful injection therapy, and I strongly recommend that you refresh your knowledge. Day one, we have an anatomy spotter. Day two: we have a heel pain spotter. Look out for my YouTube channel (search ‘YouTube/PodSurgeon’) for injection therapy videos.

Eventbrite SHOULD send me your email details so that I can add you to the DropBox group – but email me if you don’t hear with 48 hours.

Post-Course Supervision

Some delegates will be taking the two-day course as part of their overall CPD without wanting to undertake mentorship in injection techniques. For those delegates who are planning to incorporate injection therapy into their clinical practice, before the period of mentored supervision starts, the delegate must also be able to produce:

· Current certificate in basic life support (BLS)

· Current certificate of vaccination for hepatitis B

Prior to undertaking supervised injections, please supply written confirmation of an appropriate mentor/s who has/have agreed to supervise your clinical practice for a minimum of 10 injections. The mentor may be any physician or clinician who regularly administers injection therapy for foot pathology. Once all 10 injections have been administered, the supervision details should be sent to me. Subject to RCoP confirmation, delegates will receive accreditation and annotation on completion of the course.

Terms & Conditions

1. NHS-funded delegates: This is my first Eventbrite course, and I'm unsure how this will work! So, if your Trust is paying, email me a copy of your Purchase Order, and I will invoice your Trust directly.

2. I will endeavour to avoid course cancellation wherever possible. Delegates must, however, understand that in exceptional circumstances, courses may have to be cancelled. In such an event, the delegate fee will be fully refunded. Course cancellations occur rarely but remain a possibility.

3. I reserve the right to adjust, amend or change course programmes as I deem appropriate. This is to ensure that I can meet each group’s needs flexibly.

4. Accommodation is NOT included in the course fee. Favourable rates at the Mercure (Park Inn) have been negotiated (spaces permitting). Guests should call the hotel at 01604 739988 (option 1) to make their booking and use "Podiatry" as the reference code. £102 for single occupancy and £112 for double occupancy, including breakfast and parking.

Refunds will only be issued up to 7 days before the event.

If you have any further questions, please e-mail me at podsurgeon@hotmail.com.

Description supplied by the event organiser.